I know, it's not a guitar. But it is really cool IMO, and there will be a guitar to drool over in just a few days. Meanwhile, this instrument seems to be be pretty decent to my not particularly Uke-savvy ear. Like most of my work, the fundamental is very strong and the overtones are present without being particularly shrill. Of course it is only an hour old, so the story has barely begun.

Greg will play it tomorrow as we are double dating to hear a woman mandolinist (whose name escapes me at the moment) at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Perhaps he will have an opinion to offer.

I have sent out email announcing this Sunday's NCAL meeting but the event is open to all interested parties, so I'd like to mention it here as well. The address and time are listed on the club's website at: http://NCAL.club as will be subsequent meetings.

Today I buffed out the D28ish I am building for Mike Wilhoyte and then I glued the neck onto the body. If I have time tomorrow, I expect to get it fretted and possibly make and install the bridge. If I do get that far, I will get to hear it on Wednesday. And you will see pictures and get hear my first impressions.

Yesterday was the third NCAL meeting I've hosted since I became president of what we loosely refer to as an organization. The meeting was hosted by a member name of Tom Leaf. Tom has been spending a lot of time gathering material in what he calls the "Urban Forest". These are architectural trees in our neighborhood gardens as well as gems in the local lumberyard. He has some nice tools and spent time explaining how to approach yield and well as acquiring the resources themselves. It was my kind of meeting.

This was my third meeting since joining NCAL. What a great source of information and education from top tier builders to amateurs like myself. Check out the NCAL.club website for future meeting locations.
I stopped by Bruce's shop on the way home and was able to see and hold the tree uke. Gotta say, the photos don't really do the instrument justice. It's the most beautiful thing to behold. Unbelievably light weight. He said it was one of his most difficult builds due to the type and thinness of the wood.

I just had a chance to hear this video. Your guitars need the best recording process to really show what they got. I can't imagine hearing this guitar played all night. Your right. One day I need to get to a show and experience some fine guitars.

I just had a chance to hear this video. Your guitars need the best recording process to really show what they got. I can't imagine hearing this guitar played all night. Your right. One day I need to get to a show and experience some fine guitars.

It doesn't hurt a thing that Al has played this tune on (probably) thousands of guitars. It amounts to a nearly level playing field.

My own recordings were never intended to be state of the art recordings or playing, but rather a way to compare my guitars directly to each other within the limitations of my system.

It doesn't hurt a thing that Al has played this tune on (probably) thousands of guitars. It amounts to a nearly level playing field.

My own recordings were never intended to be state of the art recordings or playing, but rather a way to compare my guitars directly to each other within the limitations of my system.

I do hope to meet you one day.

Al could probably play any guitar and wring the best out of it, and make them sound their best by the tune he decides to play. His playing this same tune does give a good reference across guitars, just as your recordings do the same across your guitars. More than once I replayed a recording of yours because it spoke to me, part the player and part the guitar. And I am used to Al doing a wonderful job of showcasing instruments, and I have heard a few of your guitars online but it sounded like he really enjoyed playing it.

I would be honored to meet you, retirement is not looking too far off, it would not be a big surprise if I took a walkabout and I found myself on the west coast.